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Tufnell Park: The Pretty North London ‘Village’ Loved by Celebrities Like Damian Lewis

Where Neighbours Always Help Each Other Out

by Nicole Karageorgi | My London | February 1, 2023

Tufnell Park is a quiet ‘village’ but has a lot to offer – you might even spot a famous face. North London has its fair share of celebrities who call areas like Hampstead, Chalk Farm, and Highgate home. But, lying between Holloway, and busy Kentish Town is a quiet ‘village’ that’s loved by celebrities and has its very own stop on the Northern line.

Tufnell Park has been described by those who work and live there as a ‘wonderful place’ with an ‘amazing sense of community’. The neighbourhood straddles the London Boroughs of Islington and Camden. It was historically used for dairy farming, and acted as an important base for distributing dairy around Central London.

The manor of Barnsbury, which is said to have stood where the Odeon Cinema is today, was inherited by William Tufnell in 1753, which is how Tufnell Park got its name. The estate later passed to other brothers, before it was eventually inherited by Henry Tufnell. Henry sponsored the development of housing in the area in 1845.

Today, the neighbourhood is a quiet village where ‘everyone knows everyone’ and residents love to help each other out. If you pass through, you might come across a few celebrities. The likes of actor Damian Lewis, TV presenter, Jon Snow, and Madness singer, Suggs are said to live there.

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Damian Lewis: My London – Oct 28, 2005

From Brolly to Woolly

Staff | Evening Standard Magazine | October 28, 2005

Where do you live and why?

Camden. I’ve always liked this part of London. I remember, when I was younger, I used to make it along to the Electric Ballroom in Camden High Street on a Friday night and jump up and down to the rock music.

How long have you lived there?

I’ve lived in North London all my life. I grew up in St. John’s Wood, although I was at boarding school a lot of the time. Afterwards, I returned to London to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. I was at Guildhall at the same time as Joseph Fiennes, Ewan McGregor and Jude Law.

What was the last play you saw in London and did you enjoy it?

As You Like It at Wyndhams Theatre with my girlfriend Helen McCrory and Sienna Miller. Helen’s performance as Rosalind was quite stunning — I loved it.

What have been your most memorable London meals?

Long Sunday lunches in great pubs with good wine and good friends. I also like eating at The Wolseley on Piccadilly. I can’t really tell if I’m in a Viennese brasserie or a car showroom — but it’s very grand.

What do you miss most when you’re out of London?

The magnificent views of the city when you’re standing on the top of Primrose Hill or from Waterloo Bridge — they’re breathtaking.

What is your life philosophy?

Be brave. Regret nothing.

What items are in your winter wardrobe?

Long johns and woolly socks — especially if it’s going to get as cold as everyone is predicting this winter.

Which aftershave do you wear?

Acqua di Gio by Giorgio Armani or something by Christian Dior.

What are your current projects?

I’m currently rehearsing for a Henrik Ibsen play at the National Theatre called Pillars Of The Community, which opens on 1 November. Then I’ve got Much Ado About Nothing, which is on BBC One, also on 1 November. And there’s my film Keane which is being screened at the London Film Festival. I play a man struggling to come to terms with the disappearance of his six-year-old daughter.

Continue reading Damian Lewis: My London – Oct 28, 2005